The 32-year-old failed to attend regular doctor's appointments, smoked and ate junk food and now has to face the fact he will never see his wife Charlotte and kids, Michael, six and Hallie Sinden, 15, again

But his sight deteriorated and by September he was completely blind.

He suffered diabetic retinopathy - damage to the retina caused by diabetes - which is the most common cause of blindness in working-age people.

Listen to the doctors and keep up with your appointments – it will pay off. Don’t eat rubbish and smoke – smoking shrinks the blood vessels behind the eye, it is the worst thing to do

Michael Betteridge

Diabetes affects the tiny blood vessels in the retina, damaging it and severely affecting eyesight.

Michael said: "Listen to the doctors and keep up with your appointments – it will pay off.

"Don't eat rubbish and smoke - smoking shrinks the blood vessels behind the eye, it is the worst thing to do.

"I've just got to watch out now and keep the right diet."

One of the hardest things for the ex-labourer is not seeing his children.

He added: "I picture them as they are now. When they grow up they'll still be little kids to me."

His son Michael, six, and daughter Hallie Sinden, 15, now help him complete daily tasks around the house.